Page 107 of Loud Unspoken Memories

Allie comes bounding down the stairs, hair wet from a shower, sporting a smile a mile wide.

“Sleep well, honey?” Sarah asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Allie giggles. “If you call what I did sleeping, then yes, I did itverywell.”

Sarah stops what she’s doing. “Must you?”

“Sorry.” She ruffles Charlie’s hair just like Asher did. “Hey, sport. Looks like you’re being a big help.”

“Makin’ eggs and pancakes,” he says with a full-on grin that reminds me of Charles.

“Sounds heavenly. I’m super hungry.” Allie winks at me. “Really worked up an appetite.”

She giggles again as Sarah scolds her with her eyes.

How I envy the two of them, having such a close relationship.

Chris joins us for breakfast and tells me how excited he is for me to be joining their team. The five of us sit and eat like this isn’t anything special. Like they have big family breakfasts every morning. I can’t keep the longing from my thoughts. Maybe they do.

I plate some food for Asher and help Sarah clean the kitchen while Allie lets Charlie play in the elevator.

Thirty minutes later, we’re rolling our suitcases out the front door.

“Chris, Sarah, I can’t thank you enough for being such gracious hosts. I’ll never forget your hospitality.”

Sarah wraps me in a hug. “You’re always welcome here.” She crouches down. “You too, Charlie. You’re the best pancake maker I’ve ever seen. Nobody can put in blueberries like you can.”

Charlie’s face breaks into a glowing smile.

Asher pulls Allie to the side, and they speak quietly, still flirting and laughing. I’m sure I’ll get the whole story later. Asher and I have always been pretty open when it comes to each other’s business.

With the suitcases in the trunk, and Charlie strapped in the back, we say our goodbyes.

Allie surprises me by coming over to my window instead of Asher’s.

“Just to let you know, Dallas wasn’t just coming back for the party. He was coming back to Calloway Creek for good.”

My jaw goes slack.

“He’s an idiot for running away like he did, Marti. You’re an amazing person. And Charlie—Gah!—I could just eat him up.”

I’m still wrapping my head around what she said. “He’s moving backhere?Out of the cabin?”

“He’s changed.Youchanged him. Don’t give up on him quite yet.”

“I’ll be two thousand miles away, Allie. Not much I can do from there. But I’m glad he’s going to be around his family. I hope he gets everything he wants.” I try not to choke up. “He deserves it.”

She leans through the window and gives me a hug. “He’s not the only one.”

When Allie pulls away, she shares a long, intense look with Asher. Then she waves, and we’re gone.

I look behind us, watching the three Montanas get smaller and smaller, sad beyond belief that I’ll never see them again. But then I think of Lucas and what his offer might entail. Will he want me to come to the winery?

My stomach tightens at the possibility of seeing Dallas again.

It wouldn’t feel right, however, showing up in a professional manner when we’re not together. What if he has a girlfriend by then? He’s moving back to Calloway Creek. That must mean he’s ready to get on with his life. Meeting someone new would be a natural part of that. I’m not sure I could bear it.

I slump down in my seat, thinking about how happy I was to be getting an offer from such a prestigious company. Now, however, I believe the only right move is turning it down.

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